Coconut oil – controversy – is it good for you?

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MCT Coconut butter or coconut oil
MCT Coconut butter or coconut oil

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is high in healthy saturated fats which can enhance fat burning and supply your brain and body with energy. The oil increases the good cholesterol or HDL in the blood; which is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

It is also high in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and preserves glycogen stores. Coconut oil also contains caprylic acid.

According to Megan Ware RDN LD from Medical News Today, coconut oil has a high saturated fat content of approximately 90%. Oils high in saturated fats increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other diseases. (1)

Coconut oil may help

  1. Promote weight loss
  2. Increase energy levels
  3. Decrease seizure frequency
  4. Boost good cholesterol or HDL

Benefits

1) Promotes weight loss

Coconut Oil is high in MCTs, which are dietary fats which have many health benefits. They may be useful for individuals who are trying to lose body fat and athletes or bodybuilders who require energy quickly.

2) Increases energy levels

It may maintain glycogen stores, which could be useful for individuals who want to improve their stamina and endurance.

3) Decreases seizure frequency

According to the US National Library of Medicine, MCTs can reduce seizure frequency.  Studies show that MCTs can reduce the number of seizures in children with intractable epilepsy. (2)

4) Increases good cholesterol or HDL

Studies show that a balanced diet incorporating coconut oil increases good cholesterol or HDL and may lower the risk of heart disease. (3)

Another study shows that Virgin coconut oil (VCO) reverses hepatic steatosis by restoring redox homeostasis and lipid metabolism in male Wistar rats, The study indicates that VCO can be used as a nutraceutical against hepatosteatosis. (4)

Coconut oil works well with

  • Skin, hair and nail formulas for healthy-looking skin and hair
  • L-carnitine for weight loss and lean muscle growth
  • L-glutamine for athletes and bodybuilders who want to maintain glycogen stores.

Resources

last accessed online 23/2/2020

  1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/282857
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27249895
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19437058
  4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jsfa.8650

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